At one go fly 1,100 kites

Au00a0three day long festival will try to revive the spirit of freedom this independence weekend

HOWEVER much we want to, we can't really flyu00a0-- with or without wings. Perhaps that's why people are so interested in flying other things like kites. But how many of them can you fly at one go?


A kite flying event in progress

Here's a man who can fly 1184 kites, in one go, and using a single thread. Meet Bhai Mian, a resident of the Walled City's Matia Mahal area, who holds the record of flying 1184 kites in one go. And this is one skill the octogenarian wants to pass out to GenNext.

And that's what he will be doing at Indi-Fun, sharing his expertise and teaching kids some tricks of the trade. "I will be showing them how to make kites and fly them and everything else about kites," says Bhai Mian.
The expert kite-flyer does not use manjha (a thread coated with powdered glass). Instead he uses threads used in parachutes. "I have been flying kites since I was a kid. Now I am 80 and still enjoy flying them," he says, chuckling.

At Indi-Fun, a three-day carnival that will be on this weekend in Epicentre, there is more you can do. The carnival is being organised to celebrate the essence of Independence Day. "The idea is to rekindle interest in Independence Day and bring together elements that the entire family can do together," says Vidyun Singh, director, programme, Old World Hospitality, the organisers.

Dance baby dance
On the first day, there will be a dance drama by the group Sadhya. AR Rahman's Jai Ho will be the final track in the programme in which artistes will weave in the colours of the National Flag.

Day II will have a host of activities in store like shopping, art exhibition, a cultural performance by students of schools like Sherwood Convent, Pathways, CCA, Ryan International and Salwan Public School. Authors Anita Roy and Samina Mishra will hold a storytelling session for kids.
The Little Actor's Club will be staging Robin Hood. "Robin Hood is relevant in the Indian context because it talks about freedom from oppression," says director Feisal Alkazi. Schoolkids from 12 different schools and a cast of 55 will be staging the performance.

Run out, kicks in
The third day will see a martial art workshop by Aditya Roy. It will incorporate desi martial arts like kalaripayattu and also videshi ones like taekwondo. "We wanted to organise a run but had to cancel because of the construction activities. And since karate is popular among kids, we thought we would hold a karate workshop," says Singh.

For adults only
If you have been sulking thinking this is nothing but a kiddie affair, hold on. Adults can indulge in food from across India with breakfast, lunch and dinner on the menu. The last day will also see the screening of the film India By Song directed by Vijay Singh which delivers a multi-layered portrait of India since Independence. There's more: shop till you drop. There are a variety of products on display and Indian handicrafts and textiles are the focus.

AT: Epicentre, Apparel House, Gurgaon
When: August 13-15
Timings: 7 am onwards
Ring: 01242715100